Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a perfectly dark movie that acts as a prequel to the popular Jujutsu Kaisen anime series. Fans will love it, and new viewers will become instantly hooked!
Jujutsu Kaisen started as a manga and is now a very popular anime series both in Japan and in the United States. Now, the universe is expanding as the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 prequel manga is now a movie, coming to theaters in the states on March 18th. Because this is a prequel that means you do not have to be caught up on the manga or the series to enjoy it.
Personally, this was my introduction into the franchise and I was promptly hooked. This world is dark, spooky, and has some serious horror undertones that fit in perfectly with this world. In other words, it is right up my alley.
In the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, there is something called Curse Energy that arises from negative emotions. Most people cannot control this energy and so it turns into spiratual beings who wish to bring harm to humanity called Curses. However, some people can control them, and these people are pretty much Curse fighters. They all have special powers that they derive from controlling their Cursed Energy. These powers are unique to them or their family.
So pretty much this is a group of badass monster fighters that go to school together to train to hone their skills and save the world. Did I mention the monsters all look insanely amazing and grotesque? The visuals here are absolutely stunning, and a big reason to make sure you see this film in IMAX if you can. It begs to be seen on the biggest screen possible because the action is simply flawless.
The story is very dark. Almost instantly audiences will be completely immersed in it. Young Yuta and Rika were the best of friends, and even had plans to marry each other. When she was killed in a car accident right before his eyes she becomes a ghost, an apparition, and Yuta suffers under this curse. The greatest Jujutsu sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, welcomes him into Jujutsu High where Yuta meets his classmates, Maki Zen’in, Toge Inumaki, and Panda, and finally starts to rebuild confidence in himself.
Can You Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Before The Series?
Since this is a prequel, there is absolutely no need to watch the series or dive into the mangas before heading to theaters. Will you want to as soon as the credits start rolling? Absolutely. This is a great introduction into the universe for new fans, and for long time fans they are sure to love seeing the background story of so many of their favorite characters.
This movie focuses heavily on two brand new characters who are debuting in this movie, Yuta and Rika. The plot is mostly about their bond, their connection, and I would be lying if I said their arcs didn’t bring me to tears. To have such chemistry, just through voice acting and animation, is something truly special. It was easy to instantly fall in love with these two, and start rooting for them from the start.
There are also a lot of familiar faces — and those who have known them for a while will really enjoy learning more about them, and how they came to be who they are in the series. When speaking with the returning cast on press day, they all expressed how much fun they had really diving into the past of their characters.
Overall Thoughts
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is heading straight to theaters with both English subbed and dubbed versions, which is perfect since anime fans are split on their preference. For those who are long time fans, seeing how their favorite characters came to be is going to be both exhilarating and exciting. And for those of which Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is an introduction to the series, there is no doubt they are going to be hooked.
This movies is dark, but it is also full of heart. It teaches lessons of friendship and love and finding yourself, while also being jampacked with incredible action that is is easy to lose yourself in. It is unafraid to tackle grief, love, loss, death, and even war — but in a way that will help those who are struggling with these things.
The curses look incredible, and the fight scenes are captivating. Do not miss this one in theaters.
Be sure to sit through the credits — there is something very special and exciting at the end, that is more than worth watching!
A great introduction to the universe for newcomers, and a film longtime fans will flip over. Dives into real life issues with stunning animation and a beautiful story.
Rating: 4 out of 5
About Jujutsu Kaisen 0
JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 follows Yuta Okkotsu, a nervous high school student, who enrolls in the mysterious Tokyo Jujutsu High School under the guidance of Satoru Gojo after being haunted by the curse of his childhood friend. The film is based on JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 (JUMP COMICS / Shueisha), a prequel manga to the smash hit supernatural adventure series from Gege Akutami.
When they were children, Rika Orimoto was killed in a traffic accident right before the eyes of her close friend, Yuta Okkotsu.
“It’s a promise. When we both grow up, we’ll get married.”
Rika became an apparition, and Yuta longed for his own death after suffering under her curse, but the greatest Jujutsu sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, welcomed him into Jujutsu High. There Yuta meets his classmates, Maki Zen’in, Toge Inumaki, and Panda, and finally finds his own determination.
“I want the confidence to say it’s okay that I’m alive!” “While I’m at Jujutsu High, I’ll break Rika-chan’s curse.”
Meanwhile, the vile curse user, Suguru Geto, who was expelled from the school for massacring ordinary people, appears before Yuta and the others. “This coming December 24th, we shall carry out the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.”
While Geto advocates for creating a paradise for only jujutsu sorcerers, he unleashes a thousand curses upon Shinjuku and Kyoto to exterminate all non-sorcerers.
Will Yuta be able to stop Geto in the end? And what will happen to breaking Rika’s curse…?
The anime series JUJUTSU KAISEN is based on the best-selling manga of the same title, which has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump and has sold over 60 million copies in Japan. In the US, the series is published by VIZ Media. The anime series was named Anime of the Year by the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2021.
Both Crunchyroll and Funimation have the entire series on their platforms, both subbed and dubbed, for fans to catch up on before seeing the theatrical experience.
Voice Cast
- Yuta Okkotsu – Kayleigh McKee (English), Megumi Ogata (Japanese)
- Rika Orimoto – Anairis Quiñones (English), Kana Hanazawa (Japanese)
- Maki Zen’in- Allegra Clark (English), Mikako Komatsu (Japanese)
- Toge Inumaki – Xander Mobus (English), Koki Uchiyama (Japanese)
- Panda – Matthew David Rudd (English), Tomokazu Seki (Japanese)
- Satoru Gojo – Kaiji Tang (English), Yuichi Nakamura (Japanese)
- Suguru Geto – Lex Lang (English), Takahiro Sakurai (Japanese)
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 hits theaters March 18th!
